Selected Impromptu Comments at the Graduation and Diploma Presenting Ceremony of the Norton University [Unofficial Translation]

I am so happy to join with all you once again in presenting diplomas to 4,073 graduates of the Norton University. Our meeting today takes place before end of the Goat year 2559 on Buddhist calendar and is approaching the beginning of the Monkey year of 2560. In just a month, Ramvong will be everywhere in our country. This event marks the addition of 4,073 human resource educated by the Norton University to our country. Rector Chan Sok Kheang already made a report about what the Norton University had done to achieve progress and I would take this opportune moment to give my appreciation to the efforts and progress made.

The Norton University was one of the first universities that came into operation and when I presided over the graduation and inauguration of its buildings in old location, it was true that the rector was a single man. Started in 1997, it has been 19 years now. I am so happy to hear from the report that about 97.75% of those graduated with bachelor degree got jobs, while 100% of those with master also did. It is a clear indication that with peace and development, the country has been able to provide jobs for increasing number of human resource.

Win-Win Policy Brings National Unity and Reunification

With progress achieved, the Norton University had moved to a new location, where I went and gave a lecture on win-win policy. Actually, it was the only university I was able to do that. There had been other proposals from a number of universities for me to give lecture on win-win policy but I could not find time yet. The master of the win-win policy is still here. You should not worry. I would not take advantage of other people’s intellectual property rights and achievements and I would not let them do to mine either. I developed and implemented the win-win policy until Cambodia found its national unity and reunification until present.

As you know, Cambodia had been a country of many different ruling segments. It has become a country with only one rule, one Constitution, one King, one National Assembly, and one Royal Government and armed forces. Whatever the country achieves – in education, or anything at all you may name it … stemmed from its achieved peace. No one would go and invest or do touring in Iraq or Libya, or Yemen and Syria now. It was true that no one would come to visit Cambodia in between 1970 through to 1975 and in 1975 through to 1979. There was no tourist in Cambodia in the time of war.

Previous Generation Youth Were Hostages of War

Tomorrow will be the 46th anniversary of the coup that brought down Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, the starting point of destructive war for Cambodia, turning youth and people to be hostages of war. Those residing in areas under the rule of Lon Nol had had to become soldiers or do whatever to serve the Lon Nol regime. Those residing in areas under the rule of the front led by Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk had had to become soldiers or work in any profession that serve the front too. There would not be a third option for them to go neutral. Youth in those days lost their opportunity. They did not have what the present day youth do.

The present day youth have opportunity to choose what to do, even in their study, where and what they want to study. We have state and private universities that invest in human resource training and development. Dozens of private universities provide education choices and opportunity for youth to choose. In each university, youth have rights and opportunity to choose whatever subject they may want to study. Compared to youth in my days, we did not have the chance to do that. It is in this development that I am appealing to our youth to use this opportune moment for their bests. Please do not neglect the chance. The best heritage that parents could provide is knowledge. Materials other than knowledge could perish for expense, fire or theft. Knowledge that parents do whatever they could to have their children educated would not subject to those disasters. I hope that our youth understand and avoid walking in inappropriate path.

We have new human resource right before us, the monks also included. After the graduation, the monks would leave their monkhood. It is their rights. In our country, people can choose to be monk or not to be monk. They are not obliged to be monk. Even in monkhood, they are not obliged to stay on for the whole life. In some pagodas, it was difficult to find a head monk. There was a case that the head monk in the pagoda leaves his monkhood after a Katina, a seasonal ritual that parishioners collected money to provide to monk after they spent their time only in the pagoda for rainy season. A case in Kompot, after the Katina, the head monk left with the money. However, it was rare.

Prime Minister’s Discretion in Cabinet Reshuffle

… I would take this opportune moment to say a few thing as the story has already broken to the public about the Cabinet reshuffle. I am sure even Deputy Prime Ministers sitting around here also have no idea whether that was true. I had experiences from before that many decisions went public. In 2008, I proposed a document. We discussed. It then went to public knowledge. Again, in 2013, I begged people concerned not to let other know yet of so and so decision, it was on Facebook, still. In this case, I do not discuss with anyone anymore. Applying law on organization and functioning of the Cabinet, in which Prime Minister has rights to propose changes or functional termination of member(s) of the Royal Government, I did it alone.

In only hours, it went to the National Assembly. The story then broke there. According to plan, on 4 April, there will be voting (in the National Assembly) to approve changes of composition of the Royal Government with an aim to increase work efficiency. Among those to be changed, no one is bad except that some have not been aptly responding to work requirements. We have to readjust. Learning the wish of Prime Minister to reshuffle the Cabinet, some ministers requested for either resignation or change to other institutions, such as the Constitutional Council.

Eight Ministries and Four Provinces Affected

… I would take this chance to speak to ministers, should they know in advance of their leaves or swapping positions, to continue work until we have royal decrees on new appointment and wait for transference of positions to new ministers. As long as the National Assembly has not yet approved, they must keep on working. Their tasks terminate when the royal decrees come. They then will have to transfer work to new ministers. I will appoint Deputy Prime Minister who will preside over the transference of which ministers. It will affect some eight ministries, if I may say.

It is for better work efficiency. It does not mean those ministers are to-be terminated for any bad things. It is just for betterment of efficiency of the Royal Government. Between when the Royal Government was established, the reshuffle happened after two and a half years. It is half the term. This means that we need to increase work efficiency. I would not go into detail which ministers will be affected. I have done my duty and it is the Prime Minister’s discretion. I also inform governors who would soon go into retirement that they could end their terms before their retirements too. Four provinces will have their governors terminating their terms to facilitate approval by the National Assembly. The four provinces would be Kompong Speu, Kompot, Banteay Meanjei and Svay Rieng. They would come to work in national level. Some ministers could not do the governor’s jobs. They do every work. Governor of a province or district could be a Prime Minister. That is why we need to choose some governors to work in the Royal Government as Secretaries of State.

Funcinpec Officials to Retain Their Portfolios

I still have one more story to speak here. It is about Funcinpec party and I send this message to parties in conflict. In fact, I do not have the need to mention about it but the issue is relating to the Royal Government. Some members of Funcinpec are Secretaries of State and advisors to the Royal Government. Some would follow HE Nhek Bun Chhay and some would go with Samdech Krom Preah. What to do then? As Prime Minister I affirm a position that no matter who the persons may follow – Nhek Bun Chhay or Krom Preah, their portfolios will remain. I wish Samdech Krom Preah understand it. The only thing I am warning is if they join the opposition party or other parties that is not Funcinpec, then they will be fired.

I think it is not possible to mobilize force anymore. They are always in conflict … Should they wish to choose the Cambodian People’s Party, I think that would not be a problem. I just gave a message. There are in all over 100 of them working in the Royal Government. Mostly they are senior officials in political functions […]

“Three No, One Report” Strategy Would not Work

… I just have to remind one other thing. The strategy of “three no and one report” would work only in the 1980’s against the Khmer Rouge. “Three No” on sexual scandal would not hide the story. I just wish to urge others not to be rebellious. There are cameras in airports and hotels where photos were taken. Some issues look small but bear huge problem in nature. I am sure people would not understand what I am talking about and only those concerned would understand that. The person has a passport, and air ticket. S/he could not deny it […]

If it grows into political matter as they said, a forceful act would go in. It is now only a case of insult and deception. However, when the issue widened to National Assembly or the Royal Government, action would be taken. I warn, the fire has approached feet of the Royal Government. When it comes, it is necessary to move. I would urge those who support blindly to be careful of their actions from railing to the Cambodian People’s Party or the Royal Government. Should it touch on the Cambodian People’s Party and the Royal Government, we would have to defend our honor […]

Facebook – E-Government

… It was beyond understanding when they said that my Facebook bought “like” from India. I could anticipated that though as I noticed that “like” on my page has been rapid. I hope they do not blame Facebook. I do not even know who press “like” from where … There have been many likes to my posts, especially my photo posted from abroad, for instance the one I posted from Singapore, up to 180,000 likes. If I could buy “like” in India, I would be powerful. I could be happy that Indian people and in other countries like me “Hun Sen” as Prime Minister of Cambodia. I use Facebook to resolve problem as part of e-government effort. Why did they bother me? … I do not use Facebook to compete for popularity. I do to resolve problems. For instance, there was a problem that for USD 80, people were arrested and jailed.

There was a case that people’s proxies were arrested (in a land conflict case). I saw that. I sent my two sons to resolve the problem in Kompong Speu. Yesterday, five soldiers who defend the country with their lives but have their homes faced confiscation. I urge a review of the case. It is not a simple matter. I called to Gen. Bun Seng, head of military region 5 to inquire about the issue. I even called to Ko Sumsaroeut to review the matter […]

… Cheating is not possible anymore. Whoever report matter to me, I would ponder solution. I use Facebook to collect information and guide solutions. Various ministries have been scanning comments in my Facebook page. They will take up their parts. It is fast. I would condition that governors or vice governors of district to be able to use Whatsapp or Telegram. I have set up a group in Telegram and Whatsapp to which I place information in there. If anyone suggested private access, we can set it up too. It saves time now that info goes out will reach 25 provinces at once […]./.